Page 24 of Honey's Special Roux

She made a wide turn, but in the neighborhood we were in, it was okay. For the next fifteen minutes, we drove around the neighborhood. When we were done, she parked in front of Aunt Dee’s house, and we got out. When we were within touching distance, she jumped into my arms.

“Thank you for being patient with me. All my dad did was yell and make it seem like I was doing everything wrong.”

“Some parents can’t teach, and that’s okay. I got you, though. Long as you are by my side, we gon’ get you ready for the world.”

“I love you,” she said so effortlessly.

“What?”

“I love you.”

I smiled. “You love me?”

“Marquise, please.”

“I ain’t ever heard those three words said to me genuinely before. I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say it back until you mean it. Don’t feel pressured.”

“Nah. I love yo’ ass too.”

Something changed. Her eyes glossed over with something… lustful. She held my hand and rubbed my knuckles.

“Are your folks home?” she asked in a low tone.

I shook my head. “Nah. They went prom dress shopping.”

“So you’ve got the house to yourself?”

“Yup.”

“Can I see your room?”

My lips pulled into a smirk. “Fa sho.”

She entered the house a virgin but would leave a grown woman. Not only did I have her heart, but I had her soul too.

Fouryearslater

“We’ve got three shrimp risottos for table sixteen. Hix, you’re up. Get them done,” the head chef called out.

“Yes, chef.”

I heated the pan for the risotto while I listened to the kitchen buzz around me. Three other chefs called out orders and cooked the meals listed on their tickets. I loved the way my life revolved around food.

After I graduated from high school, I took a year off to spend time with my family. We hit up a few different states and attractions. It felt good to wake up and do what I wanted without worrying about deadlines and assignments. Not to mention, I got to learn more recipes from Granny Janie.

In June of last year, I applied to the best culinary school in the state. My nerves were bad because I got insecure about my talents. I was afraid the year off I took would also hinder me, but I received my acceptance letter and started the program in August. We were down to the last two months of my program, and I could see the ink drying on my certificate.

“Risottos going up,” I called out as I brought the pan of rice and shrimp up to the window. I placed the serving amount in the center of three plates and added garnish before I hit the bell and went back to my station to clean up and prepare for the next orders.

Getting the job at Genny’s Gourmet Pasta and Pizza solidified my love for food and cooking. I worked on weekends and took my classes during the week. Every night, I went home to the apartment I shared with my man, where he’d greet me with something new he picked up while he was out.

People didn’t think we would make it out of our teens together, but I’d just turned twenty in December, and we were happier than ever. He spoiled me with love, good dick, and expensive gifts. In fact, he’d bought me a car the night I got accepted into the program.

The more I worked at Genny’s, the more I wanted to open my own brick and mortar restaurant in the city. I wanted to bring Southern flair to different cuisines.

My shift went by without a hitch. I even had a few customers ask to speak to me to tell me how much they loved my cooking. Once it was time to clock out, I said my goodbyes and headed out to the parking lot.

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